Twenty-five stone Michael Danaher, 50, was jailed for a minimum of 34-years yesterday after a jury took less than an hour to convict him of the savage murder of Oxford educated historian and book dealer Adrian Greenwood.

Adrian Greenwood was a respected historian and book dealerCredit:
SWNS

Danaher, who was in serious debt, targeted Mr Greenwood after meeting him at an auction and realising had a 1908 edition of children’s classic, The Wind In The Willows, for sale that was worth an estimated £50,000.

Such was his arrogance he even took a selfie on the way out from the addressDetective Superintendent Kevin Brown, from Thames Valley Police

The court heard he also appeared to have a grudge against people associated with the Conservative Party, including the Tory donor and venture capitalist, Adrian Beecroft, who he targeted earlier this year.

Posing as a delivery man he turned up at his home in Hampstead, north London and after pushing Mr Beecroft’s wife Jacqueline, attempted to barge into the property.

He only fled when she screamed for help, but the court heard that he later sent her a letter demanding money, telling her: “I know where your daughter goes to school.”

Adrian Greenwood died in the hallway of his home in OxfordCredit:
SWNS

The former John Lewis worker told the court that a mystery man, who he refused to identify, had come to his flat and used his computer and mobile phone to compile the list.

Danaher remained impassive as the judge handed down the lengthy sentence for what he said had been a "savage stabbing" during a robbery that involved "significant planning and premeditation".

Adrian Greenwood was killed over a first edition of Wind In The Willows

Judge Pringle said: “Despite the fact that at 50 you had no previous convictions, warnings or cautions of any sort, it's clear that during the course of 2015 you drew up this list - probably to rob or burgle people - or perhaps kidnap people and hold them to ransom, so as to gain funds for yourself.

“It's clear from the timeline in this case you became almost obsessive about keeping up on famous celebrities.”

He added: "You inflicted upon Adrian Greenwood torture by way of the stab wounds, the knife-tip stab wounds, that he had on him."

Mr Greenwood's family issued a short statement saying they were “pleased justice has been done for Adrian through this conviction”.

Danaher's lawyer Amjad Malik QC had earlier told the court that because of his weight and related poor health, including diabetes, he would have "serious problems" in prison.

Mr Greenwood's family issued a short statement saying they were "pleased justice has been done for Adrian through this conviction".

Detective Superintendent Kevin Brown, from Thames Valley Police, speaking outside court, said: “It was two hours before Danaher left the house with a number of items. Such was his arrogance he even took a selfie on the way out from the address.”